On Feb. 6, Mitt Romney had this to say about the inclusion of contraception as a covered service in health insurance: "Think what that does to people who are in faiths that do no share those views. This is a violation of conscience. We must have a president who is willing to protect America's first right, our right to worship God." His comments follow weeks of lobbying by the U.S. Catholic Bishops against the White House proposal to only exempt purely sectarian organizations from including contraception in health insurance.
Today, I am pleased to be one of 23 national mainstream religious leaders who affirm the White House decision. Together, the Catholics for Choice; the Central Conference of American Rabbis; Concerned Clergy for Choice; Disciples Justice Action Network; Episcopal Divinity School; Episcopal Women's Caucus; Hadassah; the Jewish Reconstructionist Federation; Jewish Women International; Methodist Federation for Social Action; Muslims for Progressive Values; the National Council of Jewish Women; Planned Parenthood Clergy Advisory Board; the Rabbinical Assembly; the Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice; the Religious Institute; Society for Humanistic Judaism; The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism; Union Theological Seminary; Unitarian Universalist Association; United Church of Christ; and Women's League for Conservative Judaism represent millions of religious leaders and people of faith across the country.
Our statement and signatures follow:
"We stand with President Obama and Secretary Sebelius in their decision to reaffirm the importance of contraceptive services as essential preventive care for women under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act, and to assure access under the law to American women, regardless of religious affiliation. We respect individuals' moral agency to make decisions about their sexuality and reproductive health without governmental interference or legal restrictions. We do not believe that specific religious doctrine belongs in health care reform -- as we value our nation's commitment to church-state separation. We believe that women and men have the right to decide whether or not to apply the principles of their faith to family planning decisions, and to do so they must have access to services. The Administration was correct in requiring institutions that do not have purely sectarian goals to offer comprehensive preventive health care. Our leaders have the responsibility to safeguard individual religious liberty and to help improve the health of women, their children and families. Hospitals and universities across the religious spectrum have an obligation to assure that individuals' conscience and decisions are respected and that their students and employees have access to this basic health care service. We invite other religious leaders to speak out with us for universal coverage of contraception."
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Signed,
Catholics for Choice, Jon O'Brien, President
Central Conference of American Rabbis, Rabbi Jonathan Stein, President
Concerned Clergy for Choice, Rabbi Dennis Ross, Director
Disciples Justice Action Network, Rev. Dr. Ken Brooker Langston, Director
Episcopal Divinity School, The Very Reverend Dr. Katherine Hancock Ragsdale, President
Episcopal Women's Caucus, Rev. Dr Elizabeth Kaeton, Convener
Hadassah, Marcie Natan, National President
Jewish Reconstructionist Federation, Robert Barkin, Interim Executive Vice President
Jewish Women International, Lori Weinstein, Executive Director
Methodist Federation for Social Action, Jill Warren, Executive Director
Muslims for Progressive Values, Ani Zonneveld, President
National Council of Jewish Women, Nancy Kaufman, CEO
Planned Parenthood Clergy Advisory Board, Rev. Jane Emma Newall, Chair
Rabbinical Assembly, Rabbi Julie Schonfeld, Executive Vice President
Religious Coalition for Reproductive Choice, Rev. Steve Clapp, Chair
Religious Institute, Rev. Dr. Debra W. Haffner, Executive Director
Society for Humanistic Judaism, M. Bonnie Cousens, Executive Director
The United Synagogue of Conservative Judaism, Rabbi Steven Wernick, CEO
Union Theological Seminary, Rev. Dr. Serene Jones, President
Unitarian Universalist Association, Rev. Peter Morales, President
United Church of Christ, Rev. Geoffrey Black, General Minister and President
Women's League for Conservative Judaism, Rita L. Wertlieb, President; Sarrae G. Crane, Executive Director
Follow Rev. Debra Haffner on Twitter: www.twitter.com/revdebra
Sure, one may agree with the pill, but does one agree with forcing other religions to act against their morals? THAT's the issue.
The above want to provide the pill? Fine just don't force others.
Which is what the const is all about.
I don't defend the pill.
I defend the Constitution.
http://bodyecology.com/articles/dangers_birth_control_pill.php
Thank you for your support of human rights.
But buy a piece of rubber and take a pill to achieve the same effect and suddenly you're "devaluing life".
This is a ridiculous argument.
Notice that the church is not saying that they have to pay for insurance their members will never use. It's because they don't allow their members to use it. Again, The Government has no business enforcing church law.
It is common sense, meant to protect the public, save lives and flies in the face of Muslim and other religions practices. But this new President will give the country a year to adapt to the new law.
Bet not all 23 of these chruch leaders would sign off on that law. Remember the President is only trying to take care of people.